COMMUNITY HISTORY: Sentinel-Standard back in the day, 1889

These are bits of news from the Ionia Daily Sentinel in 1889, when the editor was James H. Kidd.

July 9, 1889 SARANAC. The lumber mill and oar factory operated by Luther H. Cooper and valued at $3,000 burned to the ground. Mr. Cooper is unable to account for the fire. Shortly after 10 o’clock this morning, word was received in Ionia asking for help and Chief Hearsey had the No. 1 hose and the old “piano box” on a flat and D. L. & N. yard engine 34 ran the car to Saranac in 12 minutes. A number of members of the fire department and others went along. The damage was already done when the Ionia department arrived. (Historical society member John Gallagher went to Google and found the “piano box” engine was called this, because the main frame of the apparatus resembled the pianos of the time.)

FOR ADOPTION. The Superintendent of the Poor have in their possession a healthy male child, three months old, of good parentage, which they desire to place in a good home. Application may be made at the Mutual Insurance Office in Ionia or to Labon A. Smith, Portland.

FROM RICHBURG, MISS. John L. Sullivan vs. Jake Kilrain. 3500 spectators – all thirsty and tired – attended the fight. A colored man peddled cheese sandwiches of doubtful age at 15 cents apiece while another colored man peddled water at 5 cents a cup. The fight was one-sided and Sullivan knocked his opponent down time after time. Kilrain’s blows had no force behind them. After 75 rounds, Kilrain’s second tossed the towel in the air and the crowd climbed into the ring to shake Sullivan’s hand. Kilrain was lifted into a waiting buggy and driven rapidly to the station. Sullivan had a split ear, 2 black eyes, swelled hands and bruises on his body. Kilrain had a black eye, a broken nose, a split mouth, a split ear, bruises and probably internal injuries.

July 10, 1889CITY OF IONIA. The Common Council petitioned the Postmaster General of the United States to employ letter carriers for the free delivery of mail within the City, citing the sidewalks are in good condition, the houses are numbered and the streets are well lighted by electricity.